Fiscal Cliff Talks Get Serious

The White House and House Speaker John Boehner’s office held more negotiations on on ways to break the stalemate over the “fiscal cliff,” Reuters reports.

The Wall Street Journal reports talks “have progressed steadily in recent days, people close to the process said, breathing life into talks that appeared to have stalled… The people familiar with the matter say talks have taken a marked shift in recent days as staff and leaders have consulted, becoming more ‘serious.’ Both sides have agreed to keep details private, according to the people, who declined to detail where new ground was being broken.”

Meanwhile, Bloomberg notes President Obama has softened his rhetoric about Republicans which “coincides with an acceleration of private
meetings and discussions with the clock ticking down on the
deadline for a deal.”

Wonk Wire: What to expect if we go over the cliff.